✂️Snips, Tips & Industry Twists✂️ 

Snipped By The Budget? The Tough Cut For Hair Salons

In her latest budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has introduced measures that could reshape the landscape for hair salons and small businesses alike.

Here’s the breakdown:

📈 Increased National Insurance for Employers
The rate rises by 1.2 percentage points, now at 15%, alongside a reduced salary threshold from £9,100 to £5,000. This means businesses will shoulder more payroll costs.

💷 Minimum Wage Hike
While beneficial for employees, the wage increase adds further pressure on business budgets, especially those with high staffing needs like salons.

Impact on Salon Owners 🏢
Toby Dicker, owner of five salons, estimates these changes will cost him an additional £122,000 per year—an amount he equates to his own annual income. This financial burden is a serious challenge for an industry already facing tight margins.

💬 Johnson's article calls for a closer look at policies that may unintentionally squeeze industries like beauty, which heavily employ part-time workers. With rising costs, salon owners might have to rethink staffing, pricing, and even expansion plans to stay afloat.

Award-Winning Celebrity Hairdresser Trevor Sorbie Dies At 75

Trevor Sorbie, renowned for the wedge haircut and scrunch drying, has died at 75. His innovative techniques revolutionised hairdressing. Sorbie, a four-time British Hairdresser of the Year, also founded My New Hair charity. He passed away peacefully, leaving a lasting legacy in the beauty industry.

How AI Empowers SMEs To Compete With Larger Firms

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can leverage AI to compete with larger firms by adopting a strategic approach.

SMEs can achieve significant returns on investment by automating processes such as lead generation and market trend monitoring. Leroy advises adopting a "North Star" vision, recruiting a capable CTO, and continuously integrating new technologies. By mastering AI and automation, SMEs can enhance efficiency and remain competitive, despite limited resources.

Fresh Cuts 💇

New Hair And Beauty Salon Thrives In Haverfordwest Under New Ownership

Alys & Co, a hair and beauty salon in Haverfordwest, is thriving under new ownership. Offering a range of services, it aims to be a one-stop shop for locals. Owner Alys Morris plans to expand, providing discounts for public sector workers and introducing a quiet hour for disabled clients.

Gloucester Couple Open Hair Salon After Redundancy From Abattoir

Petrica and Sonia Marin, after redundancy from an abattoir, opened Miss Beauty Salon in Gloucester. They moved from Romania for a better life, citing corruption there. Sonia trained in hairdressing, and the couple hopes to build a loyal customer base with their new venture.

New Spa Of Rituals Opening In Colchester City Centre

A new and innovative spa, Spa of Rituals, has opened it’s doors in Colchester's city centre, offering a holistic approach to beauty and wellness. Owner Evie Davies, with her extensive experience and pioneering trends like the Japanese head spa, aims to create a unique social space.

The salon provides a variety of treatments, including head massages, and a space for women to prepare for nights out, complete with lockers, drinks, a make-up station, and a hairdresser.

Fresh Finds 💡

The 8 Very Best Hair Towels

For hairdressers and salon owners, choosing the right aftercare products for clients is essential, but there’s one unsung hero that can make all the difference: the hair towel.

Regular towels can create friction and damage wet hair, especially fragile or chemically treated strands. Specialised hair towels, however, are designed to be gentle, cut drying time, and reduce breakage—making them a valuable addition to your salon’s retail offerings and aftercare recommendations.

Top Picks for Client Needs:

🌟 Best Overall: Crown Affair Hair Towel – Loved by pros for its soft, waffle texture, perfect for defining curls and reducing frizz, a great pick for curly or fine-haired clients.

💸 Budget-Friendly: Aquis Wrap – With its lightweight microfiber, this towel is ideal for clients with fine or brittle hair and offers a budget-friendly retail option.

🌈 For Curly & Textured Hair: Kitsch Satin Quick Dry and DevaCurl Microfiber Towel – These reduce frizz and keep curls intact, essential for textured hair that needs careful handling.

🧖‍♀️ Long & Short Hair Options: VOLO Hero Towel and Act+Acre Waffle-Knit Towel – For clients with thick, long hair or short cuts, these towels offer size and absorption options tailored to different lengths.

💎 Extensions & Damaged Hair: Muaves Satin Wrap and BreezyTee T-shirt Wrap – These are gentle on delicate strands, offering extra protection for clients with extensions or damage from coloring and styling.

Stocking and recommending these hair towels can help clients maintain their salon-fresh look longer, creating a valuable aftercare routine that adds to their overall hair health.